By Jun Ray Navarres
Team Lakay head coach Mark Sangiao encountered hardships in training amidst a pandemic but took the circumstance as a challenge to overcome.
Tasked to lead Philippines’ most prolific martial arts stable Team Lakay, Sangiao had instructed everyone to lock themselves at home due to the widespread outbreak of COVID-19.
“It was challenging trying to find productive alternative training methods to keep our athletes well-conditioned. Our athletes had to find a way to survive, and so did our gym,” said Sangiao.
“The first thing I told my fighters was to be careful, and to take care of themselves and follow the government’s regulations. It’s important that we abide by the rules and stay inside our own homes.”
Being a brother and father to Team Lakay’s warriors, Sangiao found it difficult to be absent personally to guide them through a tough stretch and remain in peak condition as lockdown worsens day by day.
“It was hard spending time away from them and not being able to guide them personally. We never failed to constantly communicate online, and I always checked up on them during their home training. I also asked them to post their training regimens online for accountability,” said Sangiao.
Individual home trainings were fun but according to Sangiao, going back to the gym was a different level.
With the easement of regulations lately, the fighters of Team Lakay unconditionally returned to their beloved gym in La Trinidad, Benguet to prepare for their upcoming ONE outing.
“We can conduct our regular sparring sessions, which is a crucial component of our training. I would say the training has been solid, and the athletes are more eager than before,” said Sangiao
“Now, the moment we’ve been waiting for has finally arrived. They all have appearances in the Circle lined up. Of course, we still strictly comply with all health protocols being implemented. Right now, it’s about being smart and training smart. We’re all excited to head back to action after a long hiatus.”
Sangiao has been satisfied with ONE Championship’s implementation of various health and safety protocols, alongside Singapore Government.
“I am thankful and glad with the way ONE Championship has handled the operations in Singapore. It’s very professional, and they really place a lot of importance on following health and safety protocols. I think it’s great for our athletes, because they have that peace of mind that they are being well taken care of. We have everything we need during quarantine, and all very happy to be back in Singapore,” said Sangiao.
ONE returns on Friday in a pre-recorded ONE: INSIDE THE MATRIX III headlined by former ONE Bantamweight World Champion and #1-ranked bantamweight contender Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon taking on #5-ranked bantamweight contender John “Hands of Stone” Lineker of Brazil.
Follow the writer on Twitter: @burnsports
